MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a strategic move, the Miami Dolphins have reached an agreement to acquire veteran tight end Darren Waller from the New York Giants. This decision comes roughly a year after Waller announced his retirement from the NFL, surprising many in the sports community.
The Dolphins are capitalizing on this opportunity by trading a conditional 2026 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for the Giants’ 2027 seventh-round pick as well as securing Waller’s talents. The 32-year-old tight end is set to resume his football career with the Dolphins, having agreed to a one-year contract that could potentially earn him up to $5 million, as confirmed by his agent.
This trade follows Miami’s recent decision to send Jonnu Smith, a Pro Bowler tight end, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith’s departure is part of a larger trade that included All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who had expressed interest in relocating. The Dolphins gained All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick through this exchange.
By bringing Waller on board, the Dolphins are addressing their apparent need for a seasoned and effective tight end. Before stepping away from the NFL in June 2024, Waller established an impressive career with 350 receptions, 4,124 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns while playing for the Ravens, Raiders, and Giants.
Waller’s standout years came in 2019 and 2020, during which he accumulated a remarkable total of 197 catches for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. His performance in 2020 earned him a Pro Bowl selection, and he nearly achieved the honor in the previous year, hindered only by a thumb injury.
Despite battling hamstring injuries over the past three seasons, Waller still managed to play 12 games and record 52 receptions for 552 yards and a touchdown during his tenure with the Giants. With his return to the NFL, the Dolphins are hopeful that Waller will once again excel on the field and strengthen their offensive lineup.